Global recognition at Lord’s revives hope for Kashmir’s willow bat industry

Srinagar, Oct 15: Kashmiri bat manufacturers are celebrating a major breakthrough after the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) recognised Kashmiri willow as a sustainable, high-quality material at an international conference held at Lord’s Cricket Ground, raising hopes for the revival of the valley’s struggling Rs 700-crore bat industry.

Notably, the development follows after the participation of GR8 Sports India Pvt. Ltd.—the only ICC-certified bat manufacturer from Kashmir—at the international Cricket Bat Conference organised by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the guardians of cricket.

“This is a big thing to happen for Kashmir’s manufacturing industry,” said Fayaz Ahmad of Alfa Sports, a bat manufacturing unit at Halmula, Bijbehara.

“For decades, people believed Kashmiri willow was heavy, but that myth has been broken. The MCC and ICC recognition proves that our wood can match English willow at every level.”

Ahmad said advances in processing and selection have transformed local production. “We only use the female white willow variety—Salix alba caerulea—just like in England. Earlier, we used mixed varieties, which made bats heavier. Now, the wood is lighter and more refined.”

Mudasir Ahmad, another manufacturer, credited technology for the shift. “GR8 has introduced AI-based seasoning chambers that bring down the moisture content from 30 to 10 percent without affecting the fiber strength. The results are world-class,” he said.

Dealers, too, are buoyant about the industry’s prospects. “We are proud of GR8’s achievement. It’s not just about one company—it’s about Kashmir being recognised globally,” said Muhammad Saleem, owner of Paramount Sports in Srinagar.

“We expect more willow plantations and more lightweight bats in demand. The world will now see Kashmir willow as a quality, sustainable product, not a heavier cousin of English willow.”

GR8 Sports India Pvt. Ltd. called the invitation to Lord’s a “significant milestone for India’s indigenous sports manufacturing sector.”

“Kashmir willow is not merely an indigenous product—it is an international asset that embodies sustainability, affordability, and craftsmanship,” said Fawzul Kabiir, Managing Director of GR8 Sports. “Its global recognition reflects the rise of India’s sporting goods industry and the talent rooted in the Valley.”

Kabiir participated in a high-profile panel on “The Willow Situation” alongside manufacturers from England and Australia. He presented Kashmir willow as a sustainable and affordable alternative, highlighting that Kashmiri bats cost only one-twentieth of English willow bats while offering comparable performance.

He also revealed that 47 international cricketers, both men and women, have used GR8 bats in professional matches—including five ICC World Cups—underscoring the growing acceptance of Kashmiri willow in global cricket.

For Kashmir’s century-old bat industry—valued at around Rs 700 crore and employing over 10,000 people—this recognition comes as a potential lifeline. More than 400 manufacturing units operate in South Kashmir, with 220 units in Bijbehara, Sangam, and Halmulah (Anantnag) and 180 in Pulwama’s Charsoo, Pujteng, and Jawbara areas.